Training and Development Opportunity – USGS Office of Organizational and Employee Development (OED) - National Training Center (NTC)
Course Title: Coupled Groundwater/Surface-Water Modeling using GSFLOW
Course Number: ID2447
Date: November 14-18, 2011
Start: Monday November 14th 8:00 am
End: Friday November 18th 11:30 am
Class Location: OED-NTC Denver CO Earth Classroom D2610/D2612
Course Registration Deadline Date: September 30, 2011
Course Developer:
Paul Barlow 508-490-5070
(for course related questions, please contact Paul Barlow)
Tuition: USGS: $263 Non USGS: $263
Payment Line: 888-390-4447
Course Description:
GSFLOW is a coupled groundwater/surface-water flow model designed to address complex problems in watershed hydrology. GSFLOW is built on the USGS three-dimensional groundwater flow model (MODFLOW) and the USGS Precipitation-Runoff Model System (PRMS). GSFLOW was developed to simulate coupled groundwater/surface-water flow in one or more watersheds by simultaneously simulating flow across the land surface, within subsurface saturated and unsaturated materials, and within streams and lakes. Climate data consisting of measured or estimated precipitation, air temperature, and solar radiation, as well as groundwater stresses (such as withdrawals) and boundary conditions are the driving factors for a GSFLOW simulation. GSFLOW can be used to evaluate the effects of such factors as land-use change, climate variability, and groundwater withdrawals on surface and subsurface flow. The model incorporates well documented methods for simulating runoff and infiltration from precipitation; balancing energy and mass budgets of the plant canopy, snowpack, and soil zone; and simulating the interaction of surface water with groundwater, in watersheds that range from a few square kilometers to several thousand square kilometers, and for time periods that range from months to several decades. An important aspect of GSFLOW is its ability to conserve water mass and to provide comprehensive water budgets.
This 5-day class presents the design, theory, use, and applications of GSFLOW to evaluate combined surface-water and groundwater resources of a watershed. Emphasis is placed on building and running an example GSFLOW model.
The GSFLOW software and related documentation are available online at:
http://water.usgs.gov/nrp/gwsoftware/gsflow/gsflow.html
Course Attendees:
Those interested in advanced modeling of coupled groundwater/surface-water systems should attend. Because GSFLOW combines PRMS and MODFLOW modeling, it is anticipated that in some cases, Water Science Centers will want to enroll a team of two experienced modelers for the class: one with a background in watershed modeling using PRMS (or a similar watershed-modeling code), and one with a background in groundwater modeling using MODFLOW.
Maximum number of students is 24. Priority will be given to USGS employees.
Course Prerequisites:
Experience with MODFLOW and/or PRMS (or a similar watershed model).
OED-NTC Primary Contact:
Gloria Armstrong - - 303-445-4676 or
the NTC email address at GS-COden
DOI REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS:
ALL DOI CLASS REGISTRATON MUST BE COMPLETED IN DOI LEARN
DOI LEARN – A Department-wide Learning Management System (LMS)
If you have never logged into DOI LEARN, please first visit the DOI LEARN Portal Page for detailed information:
http://www.doi.gov/doilearn/index.cfm
If you do not know if you have an Account, or have forgotten your Username and/or Password, please contact the DOI LEARN Help Desk at:
866-466-1998 or
To learn more about the system as a whole, see FAQs and How-to Tutorials; please visit the Human Capital Training Website at:
http://www.usgs.gov/humancapital/ecd/ecd_trainingdoi.html
If you still have DOI LEARN questions, please send an email to:
for assistance.
DOI LEARN Class Registration Instructions:
1. Go to the DOI LEARN Portal Page at: http://www.doi.gov/doilearn/index.cfm
2. Click on “Have an Account? Login Here” on the right side of the screen and enter your username and password.
3. Once logged in, first verify your Profile is set up correctly, including your Time Zone and Assigned Supervisor(s). Under your “My Home” tab, you would click on “Settings and Preferences” then click on “My Profile” and update as needed. Click “Save” if any changes were made and then click on “Close Record.”
4. While still under your “My Home” tab, continue to the “Learning and Metrics” area and click on “Catalog” on far left side of the screen.
5. The New Catalog Page appears and you must now click on “Click here to continue on to the Catalog.” NOTE: this area changes as new changes are made to the system; therefore, please be aware that wording and links may be different at this step than described.
6. Once you are in the Catalog, in the “Search For:” field, enter the exact Course Title and click “Go” . . . . . the Advanced Search option is also available if you need to do a more specific search on the Course Code, Description, etc.
7. If more than on Course appears, scroll down through the list until you find the one you are looking for. NOTE: there may be multiple pages.
8. Click on the “Details” tab for general Course Information. Click on the “Scheduled Classes” tab for specific Class Information and to “Enroll” when ready. If Supervisor Approval is Required, you must select the Schedule Class that you want, click on “Submit Request” and then click “Begin” to go to the Learning Request form. Fill it out and click “Submit.” An auto-generated email will be sent to the Supervisor listed in your profile asking them to approve it using the Approval Manager. If Supervisor Approval is not Required, simply select the Scheduled Class you want to attend and click on “Enroll in this Class.” NOTE: In both situations, an auto-generated email is sent to you and your Assigned Supervisor(s) with detailed information. If you did not have the correct Supervisor(s) assigned, the auto-generated email cannot be resent and you must then update your Profile and verbally notify the correct Supervisor(s) that you need a Learning Request handled. NOTE: if you are not seeing any Scheduled Classes to Enroll in, please go back to the “Details” tab and see who is listed under “Contact” so that you can get further information.
9. To check the status of your Learning Request(s) or to see what Classes you have self-enrolled in, please go to your “My Requests” area and/or your “My Elective Learning” area. If you or your Supervisor(s) are unsure on how to complete any of these processes, please visit our FAQs and How-to Tutorials at the Human Capital Training Website:
http://www.usgs.gov/humancapital/ecd/ecd_trainingdoi.html
Non DOI, OFA, and Cooperator Registration Information/Instructions:
Some classes are available to non-USGS persons who may attend on a space available basis. Non-DOI attendees include Other Federal Agencies (OFAs), State/Local Agencies, American/Alaska Tribal Governments, and Cooperators. Private companies/consultants are not permitted to attend OED classes unless they meet the status of a cooperator and this can be verified by the host USGS office.
A cooperator is defined as one who has a current Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), or a current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), or is currently working on a Joint Funding Agreement (JFA) with a USGS office. Class approval steps for a cooperator are as follows:
1. Agreement verification and attendance approval sent to OED via from the partnering USGS Office
2. A completed non DOI registration form which can be accessed at the following URL: http://training.usgs.gov/ntc/nonUSSGreg.html. Email to gjarmstr@usgs or fax to OED, Attn: Gloria Armstrong, 303-445-4665.
After the above two requirements have been received, the course developer is afforded the final selection of class participants.
If students are requested to bring personal laptops to the class and additional software is required, students have the responsibility to contact their local IT staff to request that a privileged created user account ID be placed on their laptop BEFORE traveling to the class.
For information regarding:
- Additional class information
- Local transportation
- Non DOI, OFA, and Cooperator registration information/instructions
- Student class tuition policy
Lodging
A block of rooms has been reserved at a local hotel for students traveling to this class. The course developer will provide information about the reserved rooms to students registered for the class.
Go to: http://training.usgs.gov/ntc/NTC_Announcement.html
Coupled Groundwater/Surface-Water
Modeling using GSFLOW
ID2447
November 14-18, 2011
Draft Agenda
Monday (begin at 8:00 am)
Welcome and Introductions
Overview of GSFLOW capabilities, components, and processes
Description of PRMS and MODFLOW-2005
Integration of PRMS and MODFLOW-2005 for GSFLOW
Example GSFLOW application
Tuesday
Cascading flow procedure
GSFLOW flow and storage computations
Example GSFLOW application
(class dinner)
Wednesday
Overview of GSFLOW data-input and model-output structures and files
Building and calibrating a GSFLOW model: Sagehen Creek Basin, California
Thursday
Building and calibrating a GSFLOW model: Sagehen Creek Basin, California (cont.)
Friday (end at 11:30 am)
Building and calibrating a GSFLOW model: Sagehen Creek Basin, California (cont.)
Assumptions and limitations of GSFLOW
Example GSFLOW application
Plans for enhancing and expanding GSFLOW capabilities, with suggestions from students
Instructors
Paul Barlow, Office of Groundwater, Northborough, MA
Steve Markstrom, National Research Program, Lakewood, CO
Rich Niswonger, Nevada Water Science Center, Carson City, NV
Steve Regan, National Research Program, Lakewood, CO